After ten years of sideline sniping, Sonny Bill Williams (9-1, 4 KOs) and Paul Gallen (15-2-1, 8 KOs) finally close the book on their trans-Tasman feud when they collide over eight two-minute rounds at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on 16 July. Both men have conquered rugby codes and dabbled in prize-fighting, yet neither accepts second place to the other - making this grudge match less about belts than bragging rights.
Williams, 9-1 (4 KOs), returns after a three-year lay-off spent with family and faith, sharpening in camp alongside IBF cruiserweight king Jai Opetaia. The 38-year-old ex-All Black vows to fight long and “give him a good hiding,” framing the bout as payback for years of Gallen’s barbs that, he says, belittled Polynesian quiet strength. “Trash-talk isn’t my go, but this time the fire’s lit,” Williams admits.
Gallen, 43, logged 18 pro contests before retiring in 2022, his résumé highlighted by a stoppage of former WBA champion Lucas Browne and a knockout of Junior Fa. The ex-Kangaroos skipper thrives on close-quarters brawls and insists Williams lacks the engine for trench warfare. True to form, he’s skipped joint press events, needling his rival from afar and promising to “drag Sonny into deep water.”
Promoters hail the clash as a 50-50 attraction: union versus league, New Zealand versus Australia, finesse versus pressure. For fans, the intrigue lies in unanswered questions—does Williams still have championship reflexes, and can Gallen’s relentlessness breach a six-inch reach gap?
Fight card:
▪️Sonny Bill Williams vs. Paul Gallen, 8 x 2 rounds, heavyweight
▪️Tyson Pedro vs. Kris Terzievski, 10 rounds, heavyweight
▪️David Nyika vs. TBA, 8 rounds, cruiserweight
▪️Alex Leapai Jr. vs. TBA, 4 rounds, heavyweight
